MARIN CHAPTER

MINUTES OF THE MARCH 20^TH, 2008

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The Marin Chapter Membership Meeting of CGJA was called to order at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2008 in the BOS Chambers of the Marin Civic Center.

The quorum included the following members who were present:: Catherine McKown, Lowell Smith, Ann Marie Melanephy, Ted Freeman, Ron Lucas, Jack Friesen, Gene Dyer, Dennis A. Brown, Irwin Taranto, Betty Mattea, Frank Keenan, Al Lozano and Myra Berkowitz

The Guest Speaker was Eckhart Sellinger, Region 10 Director of Sons in Retirement (SIR) . SIRs is a non profit corporation formed in 1958 in San Mateo to benefit retired men. Mr. Sellinger gave a thorough history of the 50-year-old organization. he membership thanked Mr. Sellinger for his presentation.

The Agenda and the minutes of the February meeting were approved.

Catherine gave Roberta's (Grand Jury Foreperson) report - stating that the first GJ report was published and dealt with the Marin Public Schools not being connected with MERA.

Betty's President Report included:

- Praise for the new web-site with suggestions that there be an ability to view the entire page at one time rather than having to move the entire page up and down

- Volunteers are still needed for the Nominations Committee

- Catherine and Betty interviewed two GJ applicants for the next session (who were not able to attend the regular orientations sessions in April) stressing the confidentiality of the GJ, the importance of being an alternate, and the time commitment. They will give a report on the efficacy of the "Orientation Program" after the new jury has been sworn in. (Lowell commented that at a reunion of his 2002 GJ, it was mentioned that “prescreening” applicants is of questionable value. He was assured that the final decision would remain with the judges. Former jurors were to act primarily as an orientation tool in an attempt to reduce the number of resignations after a jury has been seated by increasing the actual knowledge of what jurors “do.”.)

A short meeting at the end of the May 20 Reunion luncheon will replace the regular Marin Chapter meeting of May 15.

Continuity Committee wants to work with the various GJ Committee Chairpersons after their reports come out and responses have been received. Most of the responses occur after the particular GJ is no longer “sitting” and the Chapter would like to get the various Chairs involved in the Chapter to hone the continuity work. Since the Chapter extends a year of free membership to the jury that has completed its service, we need to try harder to get them involved in Chapter work, particularly in following up on responses to their reports.

Treasurer's Report - no change since last month in funds, however non-profits with less than $25,000 in funds must now file an e-postcard. Irwin is contacting the CGJA Treasurer to find out if our chapter needs its own EIN number, or if we can file under the general line. (FYI: The matter has been satisfactorily concluded.)

The "Haxton Plan" was approved by CGJA and will be put into effect asap.

Telephone Tree was compiled by Catherine and, at the President's direction will be put into effect. No person will call more than 4 people.

Future Speakers:

April 17 –Kathie Henderson of Dominican University OLLI Program

May 20 – Tom Peters of Marin Community Foundation

June 19 - Laura Armor, Director of Human Resources for Marin County

July - August - no speakers

September and/or October - League of Women Voters to discuss ballot measures

We discussed ways to interest more members to attend our meetings and the idea of brunch meetings at a proper (inexpensive and well located) restaurant was floated. We also want to recruit newer jurors.

October 23-24-25 the State Convention will be held in Bakersfield and we are thinking of traveling there as a group by train. The train station in Bakersfield is one block from the headquarters hotel. If you are interested, contact either Catherine or Betty.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:50.

Respectfully submitted,

Myra Berkowitz, Secretary